What the letters usually mean

GIA describes A jade as natural jadeite or material polished with wax only; B jade as acid-bleached and polymer-impregnated; C jade as dyed. B+C describes combined impregnation and dyeing. Wording can differ among laboratories and jurisdictions.

Olmec jadeite pendant, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Open Access object image, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; public domain.

What they do not mean

The letters do not grade color, transparency, workmanship or beauty. Untreated material can be ordinary in appearance; treated material can look attractive. Treatment disclosure and quality assessment are separate questions.

Polished Olmec jadeite celt-pendant, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Open Access object image, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; public domain.

Read the actual report

Prefer the laboratory’s explicit conclusion and treatment comments over a seller’s shorthand. Note species, item description, measurements and whether the document can be verified with the issuing laboratory.

Emerald-green jadeite pendant from Qing-dynasty China, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Open Access object image, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; public domain.

Research basis

Independently written from public information supplied by GIA, Smithsonian and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. GIA · Smithsonian · The Met